Side window safety device for a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

A safety device in a motor vehicle having side windows fabricated from toughened laminated safety glass with an intermediate plastic film layer. The safety device includes a sensor device for detecting a side collision, and a window striker device for breaking a side window, which striker is activated by an appropriate signal generated by the side collision detecting means. In its broken condition, the window provides a yielding, flexible surface for cushioning the impact of a passenger&#39;s head. In various embodiments of the invention, the striker device may be actuated mechanically, or electrically by use of a pyro-technic charge. The side collision detection means is an elongated, fluid filled sensor chamber disposed in a side region of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the fluid filled chamber is contained hidden within an external door guide or bumper. In a second embodiment, the fluid filled chamber is disposed internal of the door body to prevent incidental triggering. During a side collision of the appropriate severity and extent, the fluid filled chamber becomes sufficiently deformed, creating a rise in fluid pressure, which is detected as a signal to make an electric switching contact or to actuate the striker device directly.

FIELD

The invention relates generally to a motor vehicle safety apparatus andmethod for instantaneously breaking a vehicle side window during side"T-type" collisions to soften the impact of a passenger's head againstthe vehicle side window. The side window is fabricated as a glasslaminate having a high energy-absorbing intermediate plastic layer sothat when broken, it provides a yielding, flexible cushion for receivinga passenger's head.

BACKGROUND

It is well known in the area of motor vehicle safety to provide a motorvehicle with an inflatable air bag deployment system which is activatedby acceleration sensors in order to protect against the frontal impactof a driver or passenger against the steering and/or dashboard area ofthe vehicle in the event of an accident of the appropriate severity,particularly head-on collisions. Inflatable air bags are particularlybeneficial in reducing head and chest injury since the air cushionoffered by the inflated air bag stops a fast moving passenger in a soft,resilient and relatively recoil free manner.

These known types of inflatable air bag deployment systems are typicallylimited to implementation in the steering wheel or dashboard area of amotor vehicle. Accordingly, their safety benefits are only realized inthe event of a front end collision.

For side collisions, the typical driver's side and/or passenger's sideairbag does not provide adequate protection for passenger head impactagainst a side window. Thus, substantial head injuries may be incurredsince the safety glass of the side window normally does not break by ablunt head impact and instead remains as a rigid, non-yielding wall.Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a means for protecting thepassenger's head from harmful impact against a side window during a sidecollision.

It is known in the art to open an emergency exit for vehicle passengersby breaking a safety glass pane of a vehicle. For example, railroad carsand buses are often equipped with specially adapted safety hammers whichare placed in tear-off holders adjacent to a window pane region forwindow egress in the event of an emergency. However, in view of the needfor manual intervention by the user, it is clearly evident that thesesafety hammers do not permit the quick, near instantaneous breaking of awindow prior to head impact during a side collision.

It is also known in the art to mount an explosive charge adjacent afront windscreen frame member of a motor vehicle and whereby theexplosive charge is detonated to release outward or pop open thewindshield from its frame member during an impact of the appropriateseverity. In this way the passenger's head is prevented from impactingthe front windshield. The explosive charge is controlled by electricswitch operation and is connected in series with the vehicle battery.

While blasting away the front windshield may be an effective way toprevent a passenger's head from front windshield impact, the problems ofhead recoil and neck whiplash are still present. Moreover, it is notdesirable in all instances to totally remove the windshield as itprovides a shield against otherwise unobstructed entryway for flyingobjects, fire, smoke, gas or harmful vapors which may result during avehicle collision.

Accordingly, there is an urgent need in the art for a motor vehiclesafety device for protecting a passenger's head against harmful sidewindow impact during a side collision, or sufficiently violent obliquecollisions which result in the passenger(s) being tossed around insidethe car and in that random movement striking the side window(s). Thereis a need for a safety device which breaks a vehicle side window duringa side collision in a controlled manner to provide a soft, resilientcushion for a passenger's head so that the risk of head injury issubstantially reduced. Finally, there is a need for such a safety devicewhich is of low cost to manufacture and is easily implemented inexisting vehicle designs.

THE INVENTION Objects

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a safetydevice in a motor vehicle which causes a vehicle side window to fractureinstantaneously with the event of a side collision of the appropriateseverity so that the broken side window provides a flexible, softsurface for catching the passenger's head.

It is another object of the invention to provide a safety device whereinthe side windows are fabricated of toughened laminated safety glasshaving an intermediate plastic film layer which provides pliablestructural support to the laminated safety glass when the glass layersare broken.

It is another object of the invention to provide a safety device whichincludes sensor means fitted within the vehicle for ascertaining a sidecollision and wherein the sensor means are linked to a striker devicedisposed adjacent one side window and which is tensioned to provide adefinite window breaking strike when activated by the sensor means.

It is another object of the invention to provide a safety device whereinthe sensor means includes a fluid-filled sensor chamber arranged in theside region of the motor vehicle body and wherein the sensor meansdetects a side collision of the appropriate severity by measuring a risein the sensor chamber fluid pressure.

It is another object of the invention to provide a safety device whereinthe window striker device is secured to a movable side window in orderto follow the vertical movement path of the window so that the strikerdevice remains in a window breaking position at all times.

It is another object of the invention to provide a side window strikerdevice which is mechanically activated by a sensor means.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a motor vehiclesafety device wherein the side window striker device is electricallyactivated.

Still other objects will be evident from the following drawings,specification and claims.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of a motor vehicle side doorshowing the location of the bumper and side-on collision sensor on thevehicle door.

FIG. 2 is a cross section view of a vehicle side door taken along theline and in the direction of arrows 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a breakaway, enlarged cross section view of the doorhighlighting the bounded regions 3B and 3A of FIG. 2 wherein the upperbounded region 3A illustrates the detail of the preferred windowconstruction and the lower bounded region 3B shows one embodiment of thewindow striker device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross section view of one embodiment for a bumpershowing a sensor chamber arranged therein taken along the line and inthe direction of arrows 4--4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross section view of an alternate embodiment fora bumper having an expansion element and electrical contact switch takenalong the line and in the direction of arrows 5--5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of a vehicle side door showing analternate embodiment of a mechanically operated window striker deviceshowing direct hydraulic actuation.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the bounded region of FIG. 6 showing thedetail of the direct hydraulic window striker operation.

SUMMARY

The invention comprises a motor vehicle safety device forinstantaneously breaking a vehicle side window during a side-oncollision. In its broken condition, the window provides a soft,resilient cushion which in effect lessens the harmful impact of apassenger's head thereagainst. In a preferred embodiment, the inventioncomprises a side collision detection means and a window striking device.The window striking device is activated by the side collision detectionmeans, and is tensioned to provide a definite strike to the windowresulting in a complete breakage of the window.

This collision detection process, along with the fracturing of theglass, is so quick that the glass is already broken before a passenger'shead strikes against it. In its broken condition, the side window is nolonger a rigid wall, but rather a yielding substance. The invention isintended for use in combination with a side window constructed oflaminated safety glass of the kind having an inserted intermediateplastic film layer. When the glass portions of the window are broken,the film layer maintains the general shape of the window so as toprovide a yielding surface for receiving the passenger's head withoutjagged exposed edges.

The degree of flexibility or "give" of the broken window and, thus, thelevel of deceleration of head impact can be optimized by theconfiguration and dimensioning of the intermediate plastic film layer ofthe laminated safety glass. The tension (amount) of the striking forceof the window striking device is, accordingly, adjusted to account forthe number and arrangement of glass layers to be broken in the laminatedsafety glass provided.

The intentional conversion of the above described laminated safety glassto a broken state during a side collision provides a yielding area forhead impact and thus reduces the risk of injury.

In one embodiment of the invention, the striker device is permanentlyattached to a bottom portion of the window such that it remains withinthe door body at all times. In this way, the striker device follows thewindow, and in case of a movable window, remains in an appropriatewindow striking location at all times. Alternately, the window strikingdevice may be positioned permanently within the door body adjacent to awindow guide region.

The window striking device is preferably configured as a bolt firingtool which may be electrically or mechanically activated. In anelectrically activated embodiment for the window striker device, thebolt firing tool includes a housing having borehole directed towards thewindow and wherein a pointed bolt piece is fitted and adapted to shootout of the bore hole towards the window. For this purpose, apyro-technic charge having a primer is affixed to an opposite end of thebore-hole provided in the striker device housing, such that when theprimer is ignited, the pyro-technic charge explodes and sends the boltfiring piece with sufficient velocity to break the window.

For this embodiment, the side collision detection means comprises afluid filled chamber disposed within an external bumper arranged on theoutside portion of the motor vehicle body and coordinate with thelongitudinal axis of the motor vehicle body. Preferably, the bumper isdisposed in a region of most probable side impact. The fluid filledsensor chamber is closed at both ends and is provided with an expansionelement, preferably a hydraulic piston, which is disposed to move afirst electrical contact into engagement with a second electricalcontact to complete a circuit for activating the pyrotechnic charge. Inoperation, deformation of the bumper during a collision causes areduction in the sensor chamber volume. The resultant increase in fluidpressure forces the piston to extend outwardly from the chamber to movethe electrical contacts together and complete the circuit. For thisembodiment, a conventional air bag may also be triggered, if desired.

In another embodiment, a striker device is mechanically activated by thefluid filled sensor side collision detection means. Rigid levertransmissions or cable controls may be used as tensioning members (forcetransmitting or triggering members) for a striking device. However, inthe preferred embodiment for mechanical operation, the window strikingdevice, consist of one or more bolt firing pieces loosely fitted todistal ends of one or more hydraulic lines, each of which are orientedto face a desired portion of the side window. Each hydraulic line isconnected to a fluid filled sensor chamber by an appropriate hydraulicfitting. In operation, deformation of the fluid-filled sensor results influid pressure increase (as described above) and causes each bolt pieceto shoot abruptly outwards from the distal end of its associatedhydraulic line and thus break the window.

In an alternative embodiment for direct hydraulic actuation of thestriking means, the fluid filled sensor is arranged along thelongitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, but is disposed internal of thedoor body (and front and rear fenders, if desired) in an area ofpossible impact. In the event of a side collision, the sensor chamber iscompressed and the reduction in volume increases pressure in the fluidwhich is detected as a signal. This signal may be used in combinationwith the expansion element to generate electric contact for thepyro-technically activated window striking device or may be used incombination with the all hydraulic actuation for the bolt-firing device.

For the embodiments wherein the sensor chamber is formed as part of aexternal bumper, it is desired to provide the bumper with a particularstrength and a predetermined response to bending. The bumper may befashioned as a conventional door bumper which is used for ram protectionor may be provided inside the door body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way ofexample, not by way of limitation of the principles of the invention.This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make anduse the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations,variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what Ipresently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a motor vehicle door indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 1. The motor vehicle door 1 shownhere includes a door body 2 and a side window 4. The door body 2includes an exterior mounted, outwardly projecting door guide striparranged as a bumper 3. The side window 4 moves vertically up and downwithin a conventional guide (not shown) provided in the door body 2 andoperates in the known way. The side window 4 is shown in its upper,closed position having its lower or bottom end portion 9 (shown inphantom) protruding a distance within the door body 2.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section view of the door body 2, the bumper 3 andthe side window 4. In one embodiment of the invention, striker device 5is attached to the bottom end portion 9 of side window 4. This isindicated generally at lower bounded region 3B of FIG. 2. The strikerdevice 5 is used for breaking the side window 4 during a side collisionso that the broken window acts to cushion the impact of a passenger'shead against the window 4.

FIG. 3 is a breakaway, enlarged cross-section view of the door shown inFIG. 2 highlighting the upper and lower bounded regions 3B and 3A,respectively. The construction of a laminated safety glass pane is shownas having a first inner glass layer 6 and a second outer glass layer 7.The glass layers 6 and 7 are adhesively joined together by means of anintermediate plastic film layer 8. The laminated safety glass ispreferably tempered such that the glass layers 6 and 7 break into smallindividual pieces when acted upon by the striker device 5. When broken,the individual glass shards or fragments of glass layers 6 and 7 areheld together by the intermediate plastic film layer 8 to form ayielding surface.

One embodiment for a window mounted striker device 5 is shown in theenlarged view of bounded region 3B of FIG. 3. In this embodiment, thestriker device 5 includes a connecting element 10 to permit attachmentor mounting to the window 4 at a location preferably at or near thewindow bottom end portion 9 as shown. Permanent fixation in this fashionpermits the striker device to remain in a constant physical locationwith respect to the bottom end portion 9 of the window as it movesthrough its up and down range of movement so that the striker devicewhen activated breaks the window in a predictable fashion irrespectiveof the vertical positioning of a movable window i.e., whether the windowis open or closed.

A housing 11, preferably formed as a metal body, is attached toconnection element 10. The housing 11 includes a central borehole 12oriented towards a side surface of the window adjacent a bottom edge 9and co-aligned with opening 10a in the connection element 10. At itswindow facing end, the bore hole 12 is fitted with a projectile or boltpiece 13 having a projecting conical tip oriented towards the window.The other end of the bore hole 12 is sealed off by a plate 14, andcarries a pyrotechnic charge 15 having a primer 15a disposed inside thebore hole 12 through which the ignition wire 15b is conducted. Hence, inthis embodiment the striker device 5 is fashioned as a bolt firing tool.Detonation of the pyrotechnic charge 15 causes the bolt piece 13 to fireat great velocity towards the window bottom edge 9. This results infracture of the entire window 4.

While the FIG. 3 embodiment shows the striker device 5 attached to thewindow adjacent the bottom edge portion 9, such that the bolt piece orprojectile 13 hits the inward facing glass layer 6 first, it isunderstood that striker device may also be arranged in a reverseorientation along the window such that the projectile 13 contacts theouter glass layer 7 first.

In an alternate embodiment, the bolt firing device may be mounted in thedoor body 2 rather than fixed to the window 4. This arrangement may beof particular use, for example, in the case of a non-movable window. Anexample of an alternate embodiment of a stationary arrangement for thebolt firing tool is shown by the phantom schematic representation ofbolt piece or projectile 16 on the left side (outward facing direction)of window 4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment for an electrically activated side-oncollision sensor of the present invention. In FIG. 5, a cross sectionview of an extended door bumper 3 taken along the line and in thedirection of arrows 5--5 of FIG. 1 is shown. Bumper 3 is preferablyformed as an extended profile in the shape of a four-sided tube 17defining a sensor chamber 18. This sensor chamber preferably extends thelength of the motor vehicle longitudinal axis and is positionedhorizontally along the outer motor vehicle door side panels and fenderportions. For this purpose, the chamber, enclosed by the external bumper3, is provided to both sides of the motor vehicle chassis for ramprotection at regions of most probable side impact.

The sensor chamber 18 is closed or otherwise sealed at both ends and isfilled with a fluid 19. The preferred fluid is an incompressible fluidwhich does not freeze and which exhibits little or no response tochanges in the outside ambient temperature, such as ethylene glycol-typeantifreeze.

The sensor chamber 18 is provided with an expansion element, preferablya hydraulic piston 20, and is fitted tightly within a receiving hole 17aprovided on a side surface of the four-sided tube 17 as shown. Thehydraulic piston 20 is shown in the fully retracted position. Duringexpansion (i.e., outward extension from the chamber 18), the piston headmoves a first, lower electrical contact 21 into engagement with asecond, upper electrical contact 22.

The sensor device shown in FIG. 5 accomplishes the following function.In event of a severe side-on collision, the walls 17 of the tubularsensor chamber 18 becomes indented or otherwise deformed so that thefluid 19 is displaced. The resulting increase in fluid pressure acts onthe hydraulic piston 20 forcing it out from the sensor chamber 18 toimpinge on the first lower electric contact 21 which, in turn, movesupward to make contact with the second upper electric contact 22. Thiscloses a circuit which includes the primer 15 of FIG. 3 (not shown). Theclosed circuit ignites the primer 15 causing the bolt piece 13 to shotout from the bore hole 12 with its pointed tip against the window bottomedge portion 9 causing the side window 4 to break. All of theseprocesses transpire very quickly, so that the side window is brokenbefore the passenger's head is caught in a yielding, recoil free way.The desired cushioning effect for the broken window can be varieddepending on the construction (plastic material and thickness) of theintermediate film layer 8.

It should be understood that the piston 20 is very tightly fitted inhole 17a so that incidental contact or vandalism does not trigger theglass breakage.

FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 disclose alternate embodiments of the present inventionwherein both the side-on collision sensor and the window striker deviceare mechanically activated.

Referring to FIG. 6., a first alternate embodiment for an all mechanicalsystem is shown. As before a side bumper 24 is provided, however, inthis embodiment the bumper 24 is disposed inside the door body 29. Asbefore, bumper 24 (formed as a sensor chamber) extends lengthwise alongthe door body 29 (continuing along the front and rear fenders ifdesired) and is entirely filled with hydraulic fluid. Two hoseconnection pieces 25a, 26a are provided to the bumper for joining tohydraulic lines 25 and 26. The hydraulic lines 25, 26 each terminate atopposite sides of the side window 4 and are here fixed inside the doorbody 29 so that their distal ends remain within a desired distance ofthe window.

In the enlarged representation of FIG. 7, it is seen that the distalends of the hydraulic lines 25, 26 are plugged closed with pointed tipbolt pieces 16.

The mechanically actuated embodiment of FIGS. 6-7 has the followingfunction. Upon a side collision of the appropriate severity, the door orfender body 29 and the fluid-filled bumper 24 disposed therein becomedeformed. Thus, the bumper 24 also acts as sensor chamber from whichfluid is displaced into the hydraulic lines 25, 26 creating a rise influid pressure. At a predetermined pressure increase, the bolt pieces 16explode outwards from the distal ends of the hydraulic lines 25, 26 andare directed to shoot against the lower edge of the side window 4. Onceagain, the side window 4 is shattered by the impact and the previouslydescribed safety advantages are accomplished for a passenger. Thus inview of the above disclosure, an simple and reliable all-mechanicalsystem may be realized very inexpensively. In addition, in the preferredlocation embodiment, since the bumper/sensor/pressure chamber 24 ishidden within the door or fender, incidental contact or vandalism willnot trigger glass breakage.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternate arrangement for a mechanicallyactivated side collision sensor is shown in FIG. 4, a cross section viewof the door bumper 3 taken along the line and in the direction of arrows4--4 of FIG. 1. As before with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 5,Bumper 3 is preferably formed as an extruded profile in the shape of afour-sided tube 17 except now a fluid-filled sensor chamber 18 is alsoprovided and is formed adjacent the outward facing wall as viewed inlengthwise direction of the long axis of the motor vehicle. The sensorchamber 18 is closed at its ends and is filled with a fluid 19.

The sensor chamber 18 of FIG. 4 may be provided with hydraulic linefittings as shown in FIG. 6 to form an all mechanical system.Alternatively, the fluid filled sensor chamber 18 of FIG. 4 may becombined with the external fluid-filled and electrically activatedside-on collision sensor chamber arrangement shown in FIG. 5.

It should be understood that various modifications within the scope ofthis invention can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof. For example, while the fluid-filledsensor chambers of the FIGS. 4-7 embodiments are represented asfour-sided tube structures, it is understood that the sensor chamberneed not be limited to such configurations, but may also include circle,oval cross sections or other cross-sections if desired.

Also, while the invention is primarily directed to instantaneousbreaking of a side window during a side collision to lessen head impact,it is also understood that the sensor means and window striker means mayalso be implemented in combination with front on collision protectionsafety systems. Moreover, conventional collision sensors, such as, forexample acceleration sensors of the kind used in airbag deploymentsystems, may be substituted for the fluid-filled sensor chambers of thepresent invention. Further, and especially in view of the electricallyactivated bolt firing tool striker device disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 5, anairbag 31 (See FIG. 5) may also included in the electric circuit, thecrash-activation of which causes the airbag to inflate during atriggering event. I therefore wish my invention to be defined by thescope of the appended claims as broadly as the prior art will permit,and in view of the specification if need be.

    ______________________________________                                        PARTS LIST                                                                    ______________________________________                                         1.  Door             21.   Lower Electric Contact                             2.  Door Body        22.   Upper Electric Contact                             3.  Bumper (Auto Trim- Door                                                                        23.   Striker Device Alternate                               Guide Strip)           Embodiment                                         4.  Side Window      24.   Bumper                                             5.  Striker Device   25    Hydraulic Line                                     6.  Glass Layer (inside)                                                                           26.   Hydraulic Line                                     7.  Glass Layer (outside)                                                                          29.   Door Body                                          8.  Intermediate Plastic                                                          Foil (film)                                                               9.  Window Bottom End                                                             Portion                                                                  10.  Connection Element                                                       10a. Connection Element                                                            Opening                                                                  11.  Striker Housing                                                               (metal)                                                                  12.  Bore                                                                     13.  Bolt Piece (bolt                                                              member)                                                                  14.  Plate (end)                                                              15.  Primer                                                                   16.  Bolt Piece                                                               17.  Four Sided Pipe                                                          17a. Receiving Hole                                                           18.  Sensor Chamber                                                           19.  Fluid                                                                    20.  Expansion Element                                                             (hydraulic piston)                                                       ______________________________________                                    

I claim:
 1. A safety device for reducing passenger head impact injuryresulting from side collisions in a motor vehicle comprising inoperative combination:a) at least one laminated safety glass side windowhaving at least one intermediate plastic film layer disposed betweensurrounding glass layers; b) means for detecting a side collision of apredetermined severity; and c) striking means responsive to saiddetecting means for converting said side window from a rigid surface toa yieldingly, flexible surface for receiving a passenger's head whenimpacted thereagainst said striking means being disposed adjacent anedge of said side window.
 2. A safety device for a motor vehicle as inclaim 1 wherein said side collision detecting means includes:a) afluid-filled sensor chamber disposed along a side portion of said motorvehicle in a region of probable impact.
 3. A safety device for a motorvehicle as in claim 2 wherein said window striking means is a mechanicalsystem which includes:a) at least one hydraulic line having a first endcommunicatively coupled to said sensor chamber and a second end disposedadjacent said window; and b) a bolt firing tool disposed in actuatingcommunication with said hydraulic line second end, said bolt firing tooloperative to fire from said hydraulic line second end and break saidwindow when said sensor chamber experiences an internal fluid pressureincrease in response to a side collision of a predetermined severity. 4.A safety device for a motor vehicle as in claim 3 wherein said sensorchamber is disposed internal of a vehicle side door body.
 5. A safetydevice for a motor vehicle as in claim 3 wherein said sensor chamber isdisposed within a bumper molding provided along an outer side bodyportion of said motor vehicle.
 6. A safety device for a motor vehicle asin claim 2 wherein fluid contained within said sensor chamber is freezeresistant.
 7. A safety device for a motor vehicle as in claim 2wherein:a) said side collision detection means further includes meansfor converting a change in internal fluid pressure of said sensorchamber into an electrical signal; and b) said window striking meanscomprises an electrically operated system and includes:i) at least onebolt firing tool disposed facing a portion of said window; and ii) anelectrically actuated pyrotechnic charge responsive to said detectionmeans and operative to fire said bolt firing tool.
 8. A safety devicefor a motor vehicle as in claim 7 wherein said electrical signalconversion means includes:a) an electrical circuit including a pair ofelectrical contacts for sending a detected collision signal from saidcollision sensor to said pyrotechnic charge; and b) a hydraulic memberdisposed in communication with said sensor chamber and operative toclose said pair of electrical contacts and complete said electricalcircuit in response to an increase in internal pressure above athreshold level.
 9. A safety device for a motor vehicle as in claim 7wherein said window striking means is disposed within in a housingconnected to said window.
 10. A safety device for a motor vehicle as inclaim 9 wherein said sensor chamber is disposed within a vehicle sidedoor body.
 11. A safety device for a motor vehicle as in claim 9 whereinsaid sensor chamber is disposed within a bumper molding provided alongan outer side body portion of said motor vehicle.
 12. A safety devicefor a motor vehicle as in claim 7 wherein said window striking means isdisposed connected to a side door window receiving cavity of said motorvehicle.
 13. A safety device for a motor vehicle as in claim 12 whereinsaid sensor chamber is disposed within a vehicle side door body.
 14. Asafety device for a motor vehicle as in claim 12 wherein said sensorchamber is disposed within a bumper molding provided along an outer sidebody portion of said motor vehicle.
 15. A safety device for a motorvehicle as in claim 1 wherein:a) said side collision detecting means isan acceleration sensor.
 16. A safety device for a motor vehicle as inclaim 15 which includes:a) an inflatable air bag disposed in a passengercompartment region to intercept side head impact upon activation; and b)said air bag being activated by said side collision detecting means.